The beginnings of mind–evidence from the behaviour of the fetus

Abstract

The developmental origins of the human mind have been the subject of much speculation. This paper reviews studies of the behaviour of the human fetus, to assess the beginnings of mind. Whilst this evidence indicates that the fetus is bchaviourally active before birch, it does not answer questions central to the existence of the mind directly, i.e. the presence of self-awareness, consciousness. However, the behaviour of the fetus may be used to explore the development of mind. Study of the prenatal ontogenesis of behaviour suggests that the mind will emerge in an immature form and that stimulation received in utero, and the behaviour emitted, will play an important role in its development.